Operational Excellence (OPEX) Daily Briefing – Sunday, August 24, 2025: Taiwanese Giants Pour Investment into Texas: Operational Lessons for SMEs
Operational Excellence (OPEX) Daily Briefing – Chủ nhật, 24/8/2025: Các tập đoàn Đài Loan đổ vốn vào Texas: Bài học vận hành cho doanh nghiệp vừa và nhỏ
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This is the bilingual post in English and Vietnamese. Vietnamese is below.
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English:
News Recap (Fact)
On August 24, 2025, Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) reported that Texas is emerging as a new “golden hub” for Taiwanese technology and manufacturing companies. These corporations are positioning Texas as a strategic base for production and logistics, while also facing concerns about rising labor and living costs.
Several key developments highlight this trend:
Wistron announced a $761 million investment to build two AI supercomputer facilities in Fort Worth. The project is expected to create over 800 jobs and receive up to 80% in tax abatements for 10 years.
Foxconn, a major supplier for Apple and Nvidia, committed $450 million to establish an AI hardware plant in Houston. The company is also partnering with local universities to train skilled workers capable of handling complex production.
According to Taipei Times, Taiwanese firms have invested a total of $11.2 billion in Texas over the past decade, creating more than 3,500 jobs. Prominent names include GlobalWafers, Compal, Quanta, and Pegatron.
GlobalWafers broke ground on its first semiconductor wafer fab in Sherman, Texas, as part of a three-fab plan to strengthen U.S. domestic chip supply chains.
The appeal of Texas lies in its favorable tax environment, relatively lower initial costs compared to California, and strong logistics infrastructure. However, costs are rising. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that labor costs increased by approximately 3.6% year-over-year (Q2/2025), while housing and living expenses in Dallas, Austin, and Houston are climbing rapidly. The “low-cost” advantage may not last.
OPEX Analysis
1. Critical to Quality (CTQ)